Hey darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tutu-licious! It's a glorious Tuesday, the sun is shining, and you know what that means… it's time for another dive into the fabulous history of our favourite garment: the tutu!
Today, I'm channeling my inner time-travelling ballerina and whisking you back to August 6th, 2013. I'm standing in the heart of Paris, my pink tutu twirling around me as I take in the Parisian atmosphere. Can you even imagine?! This city is practically bursting with fashion and ballet – two of my all-time favourite things!
So, let's chat about tutus back in 2013!
The tutu scene was vibrant and exciting! Ballet companies around the world were showcasing stunning performances in an array of styles: from the romanticism of Swan Lake to the daring athleticism of contemporary ballets. Tutus themselves had undergone a little evolution since the early days of the ballet, becoming increasingly diverse in design, style, and length. From the classic Romantic tutu to the streamlined modern one, there was a tutu to suit every taste and occasion.
My trip to Paris included a wonderful time spent indulging in all things fashion. It seems even back in 2013, the French capital was already the global fashion capital. I found myself browsing beautiful stores overflowing with gorgeous gowns, elegant accessories and, of course, a spectacular array of tutus!
Oh, how I loved exploring the Rue de Rivoli! Stepping into the luxurious Parisian boutiques, each filled with exquisite tutus in a rainbow of colours and fabrics, had me feeling like a princess in a fairytale. I picked up a sparkling pink tutu for my own collection – a reminder of my Parisian adventures and the vibrant history of our favourite garment.
Speaking of sparkling, let's take a trip back in time to when tutus were first sparkling. It's a journey that starts with the birth of the ballet itself! Back in the 1500s, ballet as we know it emerged from the courtly dances of the Renaissance. It wasn't quite tutu time then - ballerinas performed in elegant, flowing dresses that were more suited to waltzing and courtly gatherings.
But by the 1800s, things started to change! Romantic ballet was on the rise, and with it came a desire for a more dramatic, ethereal look. The tutu, a new invention, came along and took the stage by storm! Imagine: dancers gliding across the stage in their first tutu designs! Imagine that first, thrilling glimpse of those little legs flying in a perfectly crafted tutu! I can practically feel the thrill!
These early tutus were known as "Romantic" or "Pagan" tutus. They were full and billowing, made of layers of tulle and adorned with ribbons and ruffles. The Romantic era embraced flowing movements and emotions. This kind of tutu was all about conveying feelings - romantic longings, soaring aspirations and boundless energy!
And then came the classical tutu. With the arrival of the "Tutu-Revolution," ballet became increasingly technical, and so too did tutus! The shorter "classical" tutu with its sculpted, dramatic shape, appeared on stage, bringing more structure to dance. Think "Swan Lake" and those iconic white tutus! The classical tutu allows for freedom of movement while also lending itself to elegant poses and dramatic extensions.
I couldn't resist getting my own classic tutu in a pretty pastel pink for my ballet classes! The perfect colour to reflect both elegance and the soft elegance of ballet itself. The tutu is much more than just a costume, it's an extension of the dancer. The ballerina is transformed – not only by her movements, but by her relationship with the costume she wears.
Now, while those traditional designs are timeless classics, tutus continued to evolve through the years! You see, tutus are the ultimate fashion statement - adaptable to trends, constantly reinventing themselves. And of course, that's why we love them, right?
The 20th century brought exciting changes! We saw contemporary ballet emerging as a strong artistic force. This exciting era meant a focus on free-flowing movements, and more importantly, tutus evolved too! You can practically see the evolution from the 1800s, all the way to today. I even saw a fascinating piece during my recent visit to the Royal Opera House in London. They performed an abstract modern piece featuring dancers clad in sleek, contemporary tutus that were designed to evoke movement and reflect the abstract elements of the piece. Stunning!
By the 2013 era, we see an explosion of design styles, colour and creative imagination. Modern ballet opened up a whole world of experimentation for dancers and designers!
As you can see, darlings, the story of the tutu is one of evolution and change – a mirror to the changing landscape of ballet itself! Tutus have mirrored every trend, embraced every dance style.
So here we are, in 2023! It’s been 10 years since I embarked on this journey to document tutu history on Pink Tutu, and what a fascinating journey it's been. Tutues remain a powerful symbol, and with every graceful twirl and soaring jump, they continue to capture our hearts and imagination.
Don't forget, it's a new tutu for everyone, darling! So embrace your inner ballerina and get out there in that pink tutu, spread the joy and the history. Remember, we can all twirl and be our own stars!
Until next Tuesday, my dearest readers, remember to keep your eyes on the beautiful, graceful evolution of the tutu! I promise, we’ll always have plenty of history, design and inspiration to share with each other. I’m sure next week will be brimming with more inspiring stories about these amazing garments!
And before I forget, for all my lovely British followers: Have a great day, you lot! Remember to grab yourself a cuppa, put on your favourite tutu and twirl until you feel like a queen.
Love and tutus,
Emma x
